Community News - 17 May 2021

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Community News, Derbyshire County Council.

Information for local groups, societies, clubs, parish and town councils


Welcome to the latest issue of Community News. We've written this for local groups, clubs and parish and town councils, to keep them up-to-date with news from the council. Our aim is to send this newsletter out every fortnight.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with your members or residents, or use the information in the newsletter on your website, or in your publications.

If you’ve any queries please email us at news@derbyshire.gov.uk


In this edition:


Health director urges Covid caution

covid caution

Residents throughout Derbyshire are being urged to remain cautious after it was confirmed a rise in cases of Covid-19 in Long Eaton is linked, in part, to new variants of the virus. The warning comes after two cases in the Long Eaton community were confirmed as ‘variants of concern’ – a new Indian variant and the South African variant that spread more easily. 

It follows a large outbreak of Covid-19 at Wilsthorpe Academy in Long Eaton which resulted in more than 170 staff and pupils testing positive – although none of these cases have so far been found to be variants of concern.

Derbyshire’s Director of Public Health Dean Wallace has renewed his call for local people who live and work in the area to get tested whether you have symptoms or not. And as the country prepares to take another step forward on the road out of lockdown on Monday, he says it remains vital that everyone in Long Eaton continues to follow the guidelines and the ‘Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air’ rules – as this is the most effective way to control the spread of all variants of coronavirus


Meet our new county council Cabinet

new Cabinet at Derbyshire County Council

The Conservative Party retained control of the Derbyshire County Council in last week’s local elections, and now have 45 seats out of a total of 64.

The new Cabinet line-up – to be confirmed at the council's AGM on 26 May – is:

  • Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change: Councillor Barry Lewis
  • Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Budget: Councillor Simon Spencer
  • Cabinet Member for Adult Care: Councillor Natalie Hoy
  • Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment: Councillor Carolyn Renwick
  • Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport: Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal
  • Cabinet Member for Education: Councillor Alex Dale
  • Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Safeguarding: Councillor Julie Patten
  • Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration: Councillor Tony King
  • Cabinet Member for Health and Communities: Councillor Carol Hart.

Councillor Trevor Ainsworth will remain Chairman, with Councillor Jean Wharmby becoming the Civic Chairman, and Councillor David Wilson as Civic Vice Chairman. Councillor Stuart Swann will support the Cabinet in his role as the chief whip.

Pictured at the front, Cllr Barry Lewis, then to his right Cllr Simon Spencer, Cllr Carol Hart, Cllr Carolyn Renwick, Cllr Julie Patten. At the top from right to left, Cllr Natalie Hoy, Cllr Tony King, Cllr Kewal Singh Athwal and Cllr Alex Dale.

On 26 May you will be able to watch our AGM and full Council meeting online.


Help to get your vaccination

CRU support

If you are struggling to attend your Covid-19 vaccination appointment we may be able to help you.

If you don’t have your own car, and find it difficult to use public transport, then you might be able to get help from Active Travel. There is a cost to this service depending on how far you’re travelling.

If you live in Derbyshire and are in financial hardship and can't afford to travel to and from your vaccination appointment, you may be eligible for free transport if you or your partner receive certain benefits.

Our Community Response Unit can help you find out if you qualify for Active Travel support.

The Community Response Unit is open on Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. You can call them on 01629 535091 or complete the online form at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/gethelp.


Our Buxton Museum is re-opening

Buxton Museum

If you like history, art, archaeology and geology you'll be pleased to hear that Buxton Museum and Art Gallery will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 18 May 2021.

Our museum, in Terrace Road, Buxton has been closed since late October last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic and now our staff can't wait to welcome you back. 

You can pre-book tickets. Admission is free.


Your chance to WIN a compost bin

compost bin

Got the gardening bug during the lockdowns? Home composting is at the heart of good gardening – it cuts your waste and can save you money. So why not turn over a new leaf and have a go at composting your garden and food waste? We want to help and so we’re giving away three compost bins to get you started. For your chance to be one of the three winners please send the answer to the following question to recycling.competitions@derbyshire.gov.uk

About what percentage of the waste in your bin could be composted?

You’ll find the answer and more composting information on our website The competition is open to Derbyshire residents only – see our full competition rules here The prizes are 330 litre compost bins but if you prefer a smaller 220 litre one please state this in your entry. The closing date is Friday 21 May 2021. If you are not a winner Derbyshire Now eNews readers can still benefit from special offers on compost bins